Talatona - A Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen scientific and educational cooperation ties between Angola’s Agostinho Neto University (UAN) and China’s Renmin University (RUC) was signed on Tuesday, in Luanda.
The agreement, signed by the UAN Rector, Pedro Magalhães, and the Chair of the RUC Council, Zhang Donggang, has an initial duration of 5 renewable years and provides for the training of Angolan teachers in the scientific area and teaching the Mandarin language, with support financial institution of the Chinese university.
During the ceremony, the minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Paula Regina Simões de Oliveira, highlighted the importance of cooperation and the need to create two more Confucius Institutes in the country.
She highlighted that the memorandum will enable more citizens to learn the Chinese language and join Chinese universities, especially in areas linked to sustainable development.
The minister also stressed the relevance of Chinese universities in the advancement of artificial intelligence, according to her, an essential area for the country's development and encouraged collaboration between Angolan and Chinese experts to promote academic opportunities.
In turn, Zhang Donggang defended pragmatic cooperation, with concrete results and the creation of development reports, based on Angola's natural resources.
He also stressed the importance of exchanging knowledge between the two institutions, mainly in areas such as agriculture and science, with the aim of boosting sustainable progress.
After signing the memorandum, the Chinese delegation, accompanied by the minister, carried out a guided tour of the Chemistry laboratories of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (FCN), the building intended for students and the Confucius Institute of UAN.
UAN is made up of 7 faculties, 2 institutes and a school.
It should be noted that cooperation ties between Angola and China date back to 1983.
GIZ/MAG/CF/jmc
